Marcell Coetzee: Boland scare sharpened Bulls for must-win Sharks derby

Despite fielding 12 Springboks, they conceded a number of early penalties and were forced into a physical arm wrestle at the breakdown.

Captain Marcell Coetzee said the contest delivered exactly what they needed.

“We had a good two weeks of prep but there’s nothing like playing the real game. That’s the hit-out we got at Boland,” he said.

“It’s one more debate that it’s not URC level. But I think it’s so important you get the axe sharpened against good opposition. I think we managed to do that.

“I think that was really important for us, to get that battle-hardened contact on the weekend, obviously the Sharks playing against the Lions, we wanted to cover all our bases and be 100% prepared going into this game.

“Everyone got a couple of good minutes against Boland; they really brought it to us. It was a wake-up call.”

The Sharks, meanwhile, returned from the break with a 34-22 defeat to the Lions at Ellis Park. With the Bulls eighth on 25 points and the Sharks close behind on 24 (with a game more played), Saturday’s result could significantly shape the play-off race.

The Bulls are also chasing redemption after losing 21-12 in the reverse fixture in December and suffering three straight defeats at Loftus – a rare dip at a venue traditionally seen as a fortress.

“We want to get the spectators excited again by playing a good brand of rugby and imposing our DNA,” Coetzee said.

“Last season, the Sharks and the Stormers also beat us here. That’s something we’ve identified – how we handle pressure and exert dominance at home.

“There’s real excitement in the group for this weekend. Games against the Sharks don’t get any bigger. That will drive the motivation.”

With another local derby against the Stormers looming next month, the Bulls know there is little margin for error.

For now, though, Coetzee and his teammates are focused on ensuring the lessons from Wellington translate into a statement performance in Pretoria.